In the midst of contract negotiations, star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals has been absent from practice for the second consecutive day. On Thursday, Chase was seen on the sidelines without his helmet as the team engaged in stretching exercises, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. This follows his absence from Wednesday's training session as well.

Initially, Bengals coach Zac Taylor had announced that Chase would have a limited role at the start of training camp. "I've got a plan for Ja'Marr, a plan for Tee (Higgins), and done a great job communicating with those guys," Taylor had previously stated. "You'll see Ja'Marr limited today, not doing much, Tee tomorrow not doing much."

However, Chase's absence from consecutive practices raises questions about the extent of his participation moving forward. It remains to be seen whether this was a prearranged strategy by the team to rest the wideout during the early stages of camp or if there are other underlying reasons for his absence.

If Chase continues to sit out during the upcoming weekend sessions, it could potentially indicate a hold-in on his part. As he enters his fourth year of his rookie contract, Chase is currently slated to earn a base salary of $1.055 million, a figure significantly lower than the $35 million per year that Justin Jefferson recently signed for.

Despite the relatively low pay, Chase has proven himself as a dynamic playmaker. In each of his three years with the Bengals, he has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, including an impressive rookie season with 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Even with quarterback Joe Burrow missing a substantial portion of the 2023 season, Chase managed to achieve career-high numbers with 100 catches, 1,216 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Considering his on-field contributions, it comes as no surprise that Chase is seeking a new contract that reflects his standing as one of the top playmakers in the league. Bengals owner Mike Brown acknowledged the receiver's importance to the team and expressed a commitment to finding a resolution, stating that the club will "bend over backwards" to secure a new deal. However, a contract agreement does not appear to be imminent at this time.

As the negotiation process continues, fans and analysts will be keeping a close eye on Chase's presence during practice. The longer he remains on the sidelines, the more speculation will arise regarding his future with the Bengals.